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Traffic researchers withheld warnings about cell phones, NYT reports

The New York Times reports that federal researchers withheld warnings and data about the dangers of driving while on a cell phone to avoid angering Congress.

Researchers with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that cellphone use by drivers caused 955 fatalities and 240,000 accidents over all in 2002, according to The Times. But they withheld research and backed off plans for more extensive study because members of Congress “had warned the agency to stick to its mission of gathering safety data but not to lobby states,” The Times reports.

They also held onto a letter prepared for former Transportation Secretary Norman Minetta to send to states that concluded “hands-free” laws were not effective in reducing crashes.

Washington state has banned text-messaging and talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving.

The Seattle P-I did several stories about driver distractions, including this piece I wrote in 2007. Between 2001 and 2005, distracted or drowsy drivers contributed to 971 fatal crashes in Washington, according to the state safety commission.

Cell phones played a role in 1 percent of the crashes, although researchers think the number could be higher because much of the data comes from police reports after the fact and drivers may not be honest about whether they were on the phone.

If you get a chance, test your ability to drive while texting on The Times’ interactive graphic.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..